IkarusJohn Posted February 19, 2012 Share #21 Posted February 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I started with the 35 Summicron ASPH as well - then added some, then some more I like the idea of restricting your gear, and two lenses is probably ideal for me. One on the camera the other in a pocket. The issue is which? I'm doing a bit of travel this year, and when I look at my lenses I get a bit torn and confused - which to take? The nicest walk around combinations for me are either 35 & 75, or 50 & 28. But then my 21 usually finds its way in there as well. So, for a month in Europe, I will take 75, 50, 35 & 21, giving me a few options. On a day to day basis, I will tend to use only one lens, and possibly one in my pocket. With a 35 as a starter, I would consider adding the SEM 21 and 75 AA Summicron - a fantastic combination. What happens next confuses things, but will still give you pleasure - the Leica 50 mm lenses are very compelling - the Summicron, Summilux & Noctilux seem to deliver amazing results. 24 is not a focal length that grabs me - just not quite wide enough. Good luck John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 19, 2012 Posted February 19, 2012 Hi IkarusJohn, Take a look here 3 lens kit for M9 - thoughts?!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted February 19, 2012 Share #22 Posted February 19, 2012 I am seeing many pictures online... If you're not looking at and making prints, then fine distinctions between lenses (apart from basic speed and focal length) are mostly much ado about nothing. Plus, one can make any lens appear more or less contrasty in PP; how do you know the basis for any effect you're seeing? The only sensible approach is to buy, rent or borrow some lenses and see for yourself. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 19, 2012 Share #23 Posted February 19, 2012 If i need to buy an external vf is it worth to buy the expensive Leica one? There was a thread on this subject still going on concerning external finders. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/221408-21-my-m9.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted February 19, 2012 Share #24 Posted February 19, 2012 If i need to buy an external vf is it worth to buy the expensive Leica one? The viewfinder not only allows viewing but it's magnification is .4x (just a guess) and it will diminish object size, giving you a 24mm perspective also. It is a great viewfinder but the price is difficult to justify. If you don't mind a plastic version the 24mm viewfinder made for the D-lux 4 is the same optics with the same framelines, it sells online for $260 and ebay is less. The construction is not as robust but short of dropping the camera on the finder it should last a lifetime. The 24mm is a beautiful lens, I was looking at a pristine used 6 bit version today, if I didn't own the 24mm Elmar I would certainly have purchased it, for street shooting it would be difficult to beat. If you are close to Los Angeles or want to inquire it is at Samy's Camera on Fairfax. Good luck and congratulations on a fine choice in camera and optics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jneilt Posted February 20, 2012 Share #25 Posted February 20, 2012 I have a 21/3.4 asph, 35/2 asph, 50/2m, 90/2m I use the 50 most of the time, with the 21 next. I have thought of selling my 35 (but no reason too...only time I see myself using the 35 is when I need 2 and can't get there easy enough with the 21. I like the 90, and the one I bought focuses well. I might think adding a 24 if you already have a 35 might be too much wide at first. With a 35 and 50 you can be VERY happy... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted February 20, 2012 Share #26 Posted February 20, 2012 Get the M9P with the Leica equivalent of whatever focal length you used with your Nikon most. Once you feel somewhat comfortable, choose another focal length for the second lens. In other words ... go slow. "first thought is best thought" should help you decide on your first lens. the rest of the advice on this thread is advice based on what works for them ..... you know what works for you. good luck and welcome Rafael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hausen17 Posted February 20, 2012 Share #27 Posted February 20, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have just gone through this exercise and have decided to go 3 lens set only, so I can carry everything with me at all times. So selling my Zeiss 21/2.8. 35 Summarit, Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar and have bought 28 Summicron and 50 Summicron to go with my 90 Summicron. So kit is 28/50/90 Summicrons. PS. I am blown away by the 28 Summicron. Unbelievable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freusen Posted February 20, 2012 Share #28 Posted February 20, 2012 ............so my kit is 28/50/90 Summicrons........... +1 ___________ FrankR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerard Posted February 20, 2012 Share #29 Posted February 20, 2012 Through no form of advance planning, I have ended up with a 15, 28, 75 combo. I have to say, this suits my needs exceptionally well. If you like shooting architecture, would something slightly wider be less restrictive? If not a Voigtlander 12 or 15, how about a Leica 18 or 21? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethC Posted February 20, 2012 Share #30 Posted February 20, 2012 And yet another contrarian view to follow. Just got back from a week in Mexico with 21-35-50. Used to love the 21-28-50 setup but thought I'd absolutely love the 21-35-50 coverage, I sort of did but the 50 pretty much lived on the camera. Used the 21 for a few landscapes. Interestingly, coming from an M8 I found that the 35 just got me TOO close to some subjects wanting to take their photos So the short answer is whatever you get now will change about a week after you start using it. I think I need a 50 Lux............ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustafasoleiman Posted February 21, 2012 Share #31 Posted February 21, 2012 I have used during my film years a Russar 20, summicron 35/90, summilux 35/50, Nikon 200... Then the M8 came and I switched to summicron 28/75... Then the M9 arrived and I went back to summicron 35/75. Last week I stumbled upon a summilux 50 at the Leica shop and I could not resist! Now this really gorgeous lens has scrambled my life... Until now I always thought the 35 and 50 were different yes but close enough to not use both... But now I feel the difference is there and my new combo for my two bodies is 35/50/90! The 35 and the 50 share the limelight and the only lens that is now suffering is the 75, which is being squeezed out by the 50/90 combo... Another lens that might suffer is the 135... Again because of the 90. Still working this out but after twenty years the 50 lux has come back with a vengeance. Now back to having fun with them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted February 21, 2012 Share #32 Posted February 21, 2012 +1___________ FrankR +1 if you throw the tiny CV 15mm into the bag as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted February 21, 2012 Share #33 Posted February 21, 2012 I'd go for those lenses, too. I already have the 24 and 35; both are superb. I know some people don't like accessory finders but I don't mind a bit. I have a 50 'cron not a 'lux, but a 'lux would be ideal for low light portraits. Angle of view varies hugely for every few millimeters of focal length and the difference becomes more marked the wider you go on full frame (24 x 36mm film or sensor). 21mm = 92º 24mm = 84º 28mm = 76º 35mm = 64º 50mm = 45º Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted February 21, 2012 Share #34 Posted February 21, 2012 Simple!! 28 cron asph 50 summilux asph 90 elmarit-M (the on with the built in hood) or (and that I often use) canon 85 f1.8 from 1961 so these are the 3 lenses I carry most of the time I have to say I use the 28 and 50 most but have 2 bodies and often that is all I carry. The Canon 85 (or elmarit-m) I use for portraits. the 28 and 50mm lenses are fantastic and the 90 elmarit-m is both cheap and gives amazing results and would appear to be going considerably in price on the 2nd hand market Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted February 21, 2012 Share #35 Posted February 21, 2012 Personally : focal length and lens (depending on mood, subject, and conditions) 21 (Summilux or SEM) 28 Summicron ASPH or 35 Summilux ASPH FLE or 35 Summarit 50 Summilux ASPH or 1.0/50 Noctilux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted February 21, 2012 Share #36 Posted February 21, 2012 PS. I am blown away by the 28 Summicron. Unbelievable. Oh yes! but I must say that I feel the same about the 50 Summilux ASPH, they are my favourite two lens combo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oculux Posted February 21, 2012 Share #37 Posted February 21, 2012 I have the 50 Lux and I'd use this (based on past experience) more than 90% of the time. In SLR land I'd team this with 24mm and 90 or 100mm lenses in f2.0 or better and with macro if possible. In Leicastan, I'm planning down the track if the need should ever arise to get the 28mm Elmarit as I can't see why I'd want to burden myself with an external finder. If I ever did get a wider lens it would then allow the 21mm 3.4 to enter below the 28mm or replace it. I'm not a big wide angle user though. I'd also go for either or both of the 90mm Elmar or the 90mm APO based on how light I wanted to go. I am leaning towards the APO. I think those three would do just about everything for me and I have a bias towards normal and telephoto. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljclark Posted February 21, 2012 Share #38 Posted February 21, 2012 No need to stick to Leica glass. For the wider end also consider either the Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 or the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8. You'd need to hand code them, or get them coded --no big deal I used the 21mm a lot on my M6s, but it didn't seem to be a fit for me on the M8. That's when I got the 25mm -- and have been very impressed with it. I'm considering trading the M8 in on an M9, so I'm thinking of lenses again. (I have a 35mm Summicron ASPH, and a pre-ASPH 50mm Summilux, the Zeiss 18mm f/4, plus CV lenses - 12,15,28,35,75,90) As you narrow down the focal length, consider getting a subscription to the online Reid Review. Welcome to ReidReviews Sean does subjective tests of lenses (qualitative, not quantitative) -- but he is consistently subjective. Since the M9 came out, he has been testing batches of lenses on that body. He doesn't tell you which lens to buy. Rather, he shares his information and lets you make the decision. I figure that I've more than saved the cost of a subscription by not making purchasing mistakes -- such as leaping to buy a Leica lens when something I already had was perfectly good. It's been said before, but RF shooters have never had such an abundance of lenses to choose from. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted February 21, 2012 Share #39 Posted February 21, 2012 21 - 35 - 50 is my personal preference (21 wins out over 24 - I've tried both). Unfortunately, as you might have gathered from the many replies here, its a very individual choice and one all too often based on (very expensive) experience. The REAL secret is to enjoy using the three lenses you buy and not to be lured into trying others if you are happy with those which you own - easily said but often far more difficult to actually achieve. I have been away recently and took my three lens combination, but used the 35 most. On other trips its been the 50. The 21 lurks ready for use when needed too. There will always be another lens which might 'prove useful' but disciplining yourself to use 2 or 3 to their maximum potential is well worth doing (takes a long time and is cheaper too). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revdockj Posted February 21, 2012 Share #40 Posted February 21, 2012 My three lens kit is also a three body kit: 24mm Elmarit on my M9-P, 50mm noctilux on my M9, and 75mm Summicron on my M8--all in a Hadley Pro bag and quite light. Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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